[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Murray

Would anyone be able to supply us with more information on Theodorus?

Murray,

A Keep Them Rolling member suggested the NIOD (Netherlands Institute for War Documentation) should know more about him. I sent an online request and today I received a reply from Mr. Berkhout of the NOID. I have translated his reply as follows below. I hope it is of interest to you.

Regards,
Hanno

Theodorus Anthonie Braam was born 10 December 1884 at Doesburg. He was a chartered accountant living at Wierdenschestraat 52, Almelo, when he was arrested on 17 March 1942 for hiding Allied pilots.

Around November 1941 Braam got a request to hide Peter Conran, who stays for 4-5 weeks. During this period Jimmy Kirk also arrives, who stays for circa 7 weeks.

After his arrest Braam was transferred to Almelo, Scheveningen (Oranjehotel), Utrecht (Gansstraat prison), Amsterdam (Weteringschans prison) and Utrecht (Wolvenplein prison). In Utrecht he was put on trial together with 15 others for the Luftgaugericht. He was sentenced to death on 30 September 1942, but this was converted to 15 year penitentiary sentence on 4 November 1942. After this he was transported to penitentiaries at Kleef, Rheinbach, Siegburg and Rodgau camp. On 23 May 1945 he returns to the Netherlands, where he died on 7 October 1947 at Almelo.

His wife, Geertruida Francisca Rudolfina Braam-Jansen (born 7 May 1885 at Almelo), was also arrested. She was transferred to Almelo, Scheveningen, Utrecht (Gansstraat prison), camp Ravensbrück and Mauthausen. On 25 May 1945 she returned to the Netherlands, weakened by various diseases.

Halfway May 1946 American Government announced it was proceeding to present decorations to people who helped pilots in Europe. The research for these rewards was conducted by the Military Intelligence Service, Escape and Evasion Section (MIS-X). The Archives of this section of the American Military are being kept by the National Archives and Records Administration. This archive contains records on French, Dutch and Belgians, the so-called "Helpers' Files" 1945-1947. For information from this archive you can contact: National Archives at College Park, Modern Military Records (NWCTM), 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001 (http://www.archives.gov/research/gui...roups/498.html).

The medals were presented during several large gatherings in The Netherlands, such as in Amsterdam or on the Binnenhof at The Hague. Those who received a certificate only got them sent home by mail.

The NOID does not have records on the British decoration. The British Intelligence Service (MI-9) would have been involved in the granting research, but it is unknown to the NIOD if any of these archives are still kept.